LEETONIA — The village is in a much different financial situation than when Kevin Siembida began his first term in January 2016.

Municipal income tax accounts for 75 percent of Leetonia’s operational revenue, said Nick Mistovich, village finance manager.

As of Sept. 30, Leetonia brought in $905,023.32 in income taxes, just shy of the $1 million mark it surpassed last year. This shows that the village continues to prosper throughout this economic development process.

The general fund also receives funds from village property taxes ($74,303.81) and interest earned ($74,751.42) as well as the Local Government Fund ($31,832.84 and purchased permits), to reach $1,183,278.65.

Siembida’s economic development approach for Leetonia is ambitious, peppered with numerous infrastructure improvements and capital projects, from the village’s splash pad, which was completed earlier this spring, to those underway, like the village downtown revitalization project or community center.

The Council as a whole seems to be of the same opinion: you have to invest money to make money. “This council has invested well in the growth of Leetonia” » added Siembida. “When you grow your community, the benefits are rewarded by the growth that results. »

The neighboring town of Columbiana is a great example, the mayor acknowledged.

Leetonia officials haven’t really discussed additional levies, the two men said.

Currently, the village must regularly inject general funds into the cemetery ($36,500) and police pensions ($24,000). This year, an additional $85,000 was put into the streets to offset the cost.

Mistovitch explained: “The streets cannot exist alone for 12 months. It really needs general fund funding, just like the cemetery and police pension funds.”

Mistovich said that currently the city does not have any revenue-generating levies for Leetonia’s coffers, and neither he nor Siembida expressed belief that it would make much of a difference if they did. . City officials live as much as possible within their means, while moving forward as best they can.

Neither Siembida nor Mistovich think imposing a levy on ballots is the answer.

That’s not to say that increasing cemetery fees hasn’t been considered by the parks and cemeteries board to help them become less dependent on the general fund.

With a balance of $519,989.21 in the general fund, “We are currently quite financially stable” » said Mistovitch. “I come from the private sector, where you pretty much live within your means. »

Leetonia seems to be following the same path as much as any municipality.

In 2015, Mistovich said the village brought in about $660,000 in income taxes. Today, thanks to RITA (Regional Income Tax Authority), it is almost double.

“The mayor wants to take Leetonia to a new level, particularly through revitalization and economic growth. Some have even called Kevin a visionary. With these kinds of numbers, we can potentially achieve this. he concluded.